There are a number of people to whom I am indebted for their encouragement and support in the writing and completion of this dissertation. My advisor, Belinda Humfrey, for taking me on as a candidate in the English department at Saint David's and for continually pushing me to make my work more scholarly, Paul Badham and David Cockburn for their insight in their Death and Immortality core course, and Barbara Dennis for allowing me to use her flat in Oxford so that I could finish up with some crucial research at the Bodleian Library. The Reverend Dick Lewis for his support and criticism of many of my ideas, B**** O********, with whom many conversations on the importance of interdisciplinary studies and human existence were had. L*** P****, for brief escapes, fine food, and good conversation. My friend and confidante J***** T***** for suffering through many many discussions and conversations, academic and otherwise, over smokes and coffee, for making me feel at home overseas. J** B****, the best friend anyone could ever ask for. And my parents, for continuing to believe in me.